Zafar challenges return of PTI MNAs to NA in IHC

ISLAMABAD - Former Senator of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Syed Zafar Ali Shah on Monday moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the return of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) Members National Assembly (MNAs) in the session of the Parliament. Zafar Ali Shah who recently retired from the Upper House of the Parliament contended in his petition that these MNAs were aliens to the National Assembly and they have no right to attend the Parliament session.

He said that some 8 months before these MNAs had resigned from the National Assembly membership and now their return is unconstitutional.

In his petition, the former Senator nominated Federal government, Speaker National Assembly, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Leader of the House, Leader of Opposition, Chairman PTI Imran Khan and all his MNAs as respondents.

He maintained that PTI MNAs had voluntarily tendered their resignations and Constitution of Pakistan is very clear in this regard that once an MNA resigns from the Assembly he is immediately de-seated.

However, the petitioner continued that under the rules, it is responsibility of the Speaker NA to verify that either these resignations were on voluntary basis or under some pressure.

Talking to The Nation, he said that for 8 long months these MNAs kept sending a loud and clear message that they have resigned from the Assembly and they will not return to the House. Zafar Ali Shah said that media reports and TV channels kept reporting that PTI MNAs had resigned and they (PTI MNAs) standing with the wall of National Assembly kept testifying that they have resigned.

He remarked that he did not know what ambiguity had left to Speaker National Assembly. Therefore,Zafar Ali Shah said that he prayed to the court to direct the respondents to notify resignations of the PTI MNAs.